Rory Lambe

I am a Stage 2 PhD student in Wearable Technology at University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland. I am working with the supervision of Dr. Cailbhe Doherty at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics. My undergraduate degree is in Physiotherapy.

My research interests involve the use of innovative technology for health, in particular wearable technology and machine learning.

Some of my research involves validating the accuracy of measurements such as heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and VO₂ max, from consumer wearable devices, including Apple Watch and Google Pixel Watch.

I'm intrigued by the use of wearable devices to facilitate early intervention, as well as preventative and self-directed care for chronic disease. I have a clinical and practical focus. With this in mind, my PhD research involves building a machine learning model to assess cardiovascular health. I use Python libraries like Pandas and scikit-learn every day as part of my work.

In Spring 2025, I presented my research at the UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences (CHAS) Research Symposium. CHAS brings together students from all of UCD's health professions – from medicine and veterinary to sports science and physiotherapy – and the Symposium showcases research from all its graduate students. I was delighted to recieve second place for 'Excellence in Oral Presentation'. I also gave a Platform Presentation at World Physiotherapy Congress in Tokyo, Japan.

Together with Ben O'Grady, I was winner of NovaUCD's Student Enterprise Compeition. Our start-up, Clia, which uses wearable technology to improve heart health, was also named one of the Bank of Ireland ThinkBusiness '100 Hottest Irish Start-Ups to Watch in 2025'.

In 2025, I was one of 15 Irish PhD students selected to participate in Conception X. Conception X is a nine-month programme that helps PhD students from across Europe turn their research into deep tech start-ups.

Outside research, I have spent an academic year teaching Irish in an all-Irish speaking secondary school (Gaelscoil) in Dublin. During this time, I created this website, with notes and resources for my classes. I continue to tutor secondary school student in Irish, French, and Spanish. It's something I greatly enjoy.